What are the responsibilities and job description for the Licensing Caseworker - Foster Care and Adoption (Cass and Surrounding Counties) position at Lutheran Services in Iowa?
- THIS POSITION IS ELIGIBLE FOR A SIGN-ON BONUS!***
What We Do
Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) is a trusted nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening children, families, and communities across Iowa. Guided by faith-based values and a commitment to service, LSI provides a wide range of programs including child welfare, behavioral health, refugee and immigrant services, services for people with disabilities, and support for older adults. By meeting people where they are and honoring the dignity and potential of every individual, LSI works to create hope, opportunity, and lasting positive change throughout the state.
What You'll Do
The Licensing Caseworker is responsible for completing the initial licensing or approval home study process for prospective foster, adoption and kinship care families. The Licensing caseworker will support prospective families through the pre-service training, home study process, writing, and submitting the home study packet.
The worker in this position is responsible for working with families to complete assigned home studies for resource families (foster adoptive and kinship) within project timelines.
The position requires the individual to become very familiar with all licensing rules and adoption rules through the Department of Health and Human Services and Iowa Administrative Code. The position requires some flexibility in scheduling appointments and may require the caseworker to work occasional evening and/or weekend hours to meet the needs of the families served.
What You'll Need
Qualified applicants will have a bachelor's degree in social work or a related human services field and a minimum of one year experience within the child welfare field (bachelor's degree in education with 1 year of experience can be considered). Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply!
The Licensing caseworker position requires an individual who is well organized and has the ability to communicate effectively, both verbal and written. The applicant should also possess the skills, energy, and desire to complete initial home studies to potential foster/adoptive families.
The position requires an individual who enjoys positively promoting foster care, kinship care and adoption, working with staff and leaders, and helping to recruit and license foster and adoptive families. The individual must be able to collaborate with others, have good time management skills, and have a desire to form strong and positive relationships with child welfare professionals, staff, stakeholders, and clients.
How We'll Support You
On top of joining the best team around, you can also receive:
- A competitive salary
- Comprehensive benefits
- A flexible schedule
- A 401(k)
- Generous paid time off
- Health, dental, life, and vision insurance
- Career-building opportunities
- Special Team LSI perks like pet insurance, and cell phone discounts through Verizon
LSI is an equal opportunity employer. At LSI we respect diverse life experiences, cultures and heritages, and strive to provide that all voices are heard and valued. You can learn more about our commitment at https://lsiowa.org/who-we-are/
This position requires a valid driver's license, auto insurance, a good driving record and the ability to pass an extensive background check including checks of the Dependent Adult and Child Abuse registries, Sex Offender registry and a criminal history check.